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South Haryana to get more water

The capacity of the Western Yamuna Canal (WYC), also known as Western Jamuna Canal, is being increased from Indri to the Munak head in Karnal district to meet the demand of more water for irrigation and drinking purposes in Delhi.

South Haryana to get more water

The work to increase the capacity of the Western Yamuna Canal under way in Karnal. Tribune photos: Sayeed Ahmed



Parveen Arora

The capacity of the Western Yamuna Canal (WYC), also known as Western Jamuna Canal, is being increased from Indri to the Munak head in Karnal district to meet the demand of more water for irrigation and drinking purposes in Delhi. The capacity of the canal will be raised from present 11,500 cusecs to 13,300 cusecs.

The authorities concerned claim that the purpose of the project is to utilise Yamuna water during the monsoons from the Hathni Kund barrage by carrying it to other parts of the state for irrigation and recharging groundwater.

The canal, the flow of which is dependent on water availability in the Yamuna, is considered the life line channel of south Haryana and Delhi. Besides, it also provides water for irrigation to Karnal, Jind, Panipat, Rohtak, Hansi, and Bhiwani districts. The total water required for irrigation and drinking in south Haryana as well as Delhi is being delivered through the Munak complex to various canal systems. 

The capacity of the WYC was earlier increased from 9,100 cusecs to 11,500 cusecs, but the channel and its structures were not remodelled to cope with the revised capacity. As a result, it cannot carry more than 8,800 cusecs despite having the capacity of 11,500 cusecs at present. Considering these facts, the authorities decided to increase its capacity, besides remodelling it.

During the kharif crop season, sufficient water is available in the Yamuna due to rains in its catchment areas, but the requirement of the state for kharif crops is not met through the existing canal system due to the capacity constraints of the canal main branch up to Munak, says an official.

A 47.10-km project mainly for increasing the capacity of the Western Yamuna Canal main branch by sidelining and remodelling of structures from the Indri head to the Munak head was passed in 2017. Its purpose was to meet the demand of water for drinking and irrigation purposes in various dry areas of south Haryana and ensure an equitable distribution of surface water. The Irrigation and Water Resources Department started the work on the project in March 2018. Its deadline is March 31, 2020. The work is being carried out on a war footing and the authorities are hopeful that it will be completed before the deadline.

“We are hopeful that the work to increase the capacity of the canal and of its remodelling will be accomplished by November 30, 2019,” says Rajesh Kumar Chopra, Executive Engineer, Karnal Water Services Division.

With more water reaching other districts, it will help in improving the groundwater table as the bed of the canal will remain natural, he adds.

Besides, the department recently reconstructed old obsolete bridges and fall-cum-bridges. In the absence of a storage dam and the capacity constraints of the WYC, the full advantage of the available water in the Yamuna cannot be attained.

Farmers are also hopeful of getting more water in their fields. “The project will provide more water to our fields in the coming days. Even farmer-dominated districts of south Haryana will get more water for irrigation,” says Sewa Singh Arya.

Constructed by Feroz Shah Tughlaq

n It is said that Feroz Shah Tughlaq got the canal constructed up to Hansi (Hisar) from Yamunanagar in 1355 for water supply. However, after his death, it fell into disuse. In 1568, Akbar restored the canal and allowed its water to be used for irrigation. In 1647, Shahjahan got the canal extended for irrigation of land in south west of Delhi. 

n The canal was in full flow when Nadir Shah invaded India but ceased to flow by 1705 towards the end of the Mughal rule. In 1805, when the territory came under the British rule, it was silted entirely. In 1817, GR Blane of Bengal Engineering was entrusted with the task of restoring it, which he accomplished in three years. The remodelled canal remained near Hathni Kund. The canal was reopened in 1826-27 and its enlargement and re-modification was undertaken after 1832-33. In 1873, it was again remodelled and a permanent weir was built at Tajewala along with drainage works at Dadupur. Thereafter, the Punjab Government systematically developed the canal for irrigation up to 1966 and later the Haryana Government followed suit.

Work expected to be completed by Nov 30

We are hopeful that the work to increase the capacity of the canal and of its remodelling will be accomplished by November 30, 2019. With more water reaching other districts, it will help in improving the groundwater table as the bed of the canal will remain natural. —Rajesh Kumar Chopra, XEN, Karnal Water Services Division

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